Managed realignment of the coastline at Chowder Ness

© ABPmer

This sector includes coastal defence measures used to prevent or reduce flood risk and coastal erosion. Defences may involve hard structures such as concrete seawalls, and soft engineering such as beach replenishment and managed realignment. Around 44% of the England and Wales coastline is defended and 6% of Scotland’s coastline. The investment in coastal defence and flood protection in 2007 was £358 million. The investment in beach replenishment in England and Wales in 2007/08 was £11 million. Ancillary market values include £60 million (2007/08) for construction of defences in England and Wales. Data for Scotland and Northern Ireland are difficult to source as responsibility lies with several different departments and agencies.

The investment and hence activity within this sector in England and Wales has doubled over the past ten years due to the vulnerability of the coast to potential flooding and coastal erosion associated with climate change. However, investment and employment figures alone do not capture the entire value to the economy of coastal defences, as there are significant indirect social and economic benefits that are difficult to quantify.

Flood and coastal erosion risk management projects often have substantial impacts on the coastal environment, for example from construction, physical footprint, changes in geomorphology and coastal squeeze, as well as other forms of habitat degradation and loss. All schemes are therefore subject to appraisal by the relevant regulatory authorities and agencies which take account of the social, economic and environmental impacts as part of the consenting and funding processes.

Projections are that current spending on coastal defences will need to double by 2080. The use of managed realignment (a measure often undertaken as a compensatory measure for coastal works, that may provide additional ‘soft’ flood and coastal defence benefits) and other forms of soft coastal defence measures are likely to increase.